The responsibility isn't Mr. Hall's alone. He will need the full support of the administrative staff and strong guidance from the School Board.

Mr. Hall certainly is qualified to be interim superintendent. He is a veteran of 28 years in Volusia schools, having served in various teaching positions as well as school-level and district-level administrative jobs.

He is principal of George Marks Elementary School in DeLand.

Understandably eager to prove himself, Mr. Hall promised not to be a ''caretaker'' superintendent, but to work hard to improve public schools. He also has left the door open to apply for the permanent job.

The major hurdle for Mr. Hall's success, even in the short term, is the board's political shortcomings.

If he is to be successful, Deborah Denys and Susan Whittaker will have to be cooperative partners with the three majority members on the School Board.

That doesn't mean that they must sacrifice their own ideas and beliefs about education or politics. But they must focus on education without unnecessary distractions from board business.

Ms. Denys appears to be adjusting well to service on the board. She has played an active and effective role in the search for a superintendent to replace Joan Kowal.

Ms. Whittaker's effort has been less impressive. Her actions have been at times disruptive and damaging to the morale of teachers, principals and administrative staff.

Last week, for example, several high-level staff members publicly criticized Ms. Whittaker for accusing an elementary school principal of distributing a vicious anonymous letter.

They demanded an apology, but got none. Still, their message was clear. Such behavior serves no one's interest, especially the children whose education is the responsibility of Ms. Whittaker and the other School Board members.

Mr. Hall, who begins as interim superintendent on March 15, will have his hands full overseeing budget preparations during the next few months.

He doesn't need such distractions that hamper efforts to provide quality education for Volusia County children.